The Jiu-Hwa Lo Upshur Institute for Civic Education (UICE) promotes innovative methods of teaching and learning in history and social studies. The UICE investigates and tests new ways to apply and adapt approaches to history and social studies teacher training courses at EMU; and helps foster a new generation of informed and engaged citizens and innovative educators at the high school and college levels for the benefit of students in Michigan and beyond. The Institute grounds itself in producing citizens who have strong civic knowledge, skills, dispositions, and capacities.
Our Director
Brigid Beaubien named director of the Jiu-Hwa Lo Upshur Institute for Civic Education
Our Mission
UICE empowers students and educators across the disciplines through high impact and innovative practices in history, social studies, and civics education in and beyond the classroom. UICE shares, models, and engages in strategies that promote deliberative dialogue, voice, ethical and evidence-based reasoning, empathy, knowledge building, and critical thinking. UICE produces and curates resources and provides professional learning and research to advance the knowledge, capacities, and dispositions for civic life.
Our Vision
UICE is committed to creating inclusive energetic spaces for the purpose of fostering empowered communities in sustaining democracy.
A Significant Gift
Department Head of History & Philosophy, Peter Higgins stated, “We could not be more excited to begin the Center’s work, or more grateful to Dr. Upshur."
News & Events
September Events
Celebrate Constitution Day
Join the Upshur Institute for Civic Education (UICE) and Sphere Education Initiatives in Halle Library for a celebration of the 2023/2024 Academic UICE grant award winners.
For further information contact Brigid Beaubien, Uphsur Institute for Civic Education Director at [email protected].
When: Tuesday, September 17th, 11:30 am - 3:30 pm (Lunch provided)
Where: Halle Library, Eastern Michigan University
Register Now
Celebrate Constitution Week and Promote Civil Discourse at EMU
Join Southeast Michigan Journalists Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson for thought-provoking conversation highlighting the value of civil discourse and understanding diverse viewpoints.
For further information contact Brigid Beaubien, Uphsur Institute for Civic Education Director at [email protected].
When: Thursday, September 19th, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Where: Student Center Auditorium, EMU
LBC credit available
Teaching in Turbulent Times
All tenure track faculty and lecturers are invited to attend this program providing support and strategies for instructional staff in addressing in our classrooms the challenges of the 2024 election, and other stressful local, national, and world events.
For further information contact Brigid Beaubien, Uphsur Institute for Civic Education Director at [email protected].
When: Friday, September 27th, 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM (Lunch provided)
Where: Halle Library 300, EMU
New Grant Recipients
The Upshur Institute for Civic Education at Eastern Michigan University has awarded funding to faculty and lecturers for projects to prepare Eastern Michigan University students for the intellectual demands of democratic participation through critical inquiry and engagement in History and other Social Studies disciplines.
Winners of the UICE Grant Awards are:
Kristopher Phillips: "Founding an Eastern Michigan University Ethics Bowl Team."
Ann Blakeslee: "Engaging with Democracy through Writing."
Ashley Johnson Bavery: "Puerto Rico: Exploring the United States Democracy."
Read more about the awards.